Re: Where can I buy pre-made feedline?

On Dec 6, 2007, at 6:25 PM, Rick Mann wrote:
> So, as it turns out, HRO had a duplexer with an N connector on the
> antenna side. I just need to see about changing the connector on the
> antenna (and actually mounting my N-connectors), and I don't have to
> change the connector on the radio.
>
> My PL-259s were all silver-plated. So are the Ns, but they are not
> crimp-on; I'll still have to solder them. The part that gets soldered
> is of substantially lower mass than the PL-259, so hopefully it'll go
> better. Sigh.
Who's N connectors are you using?
I've seen N connectors lately that look like PL-259's and have to be
soldered on similarly to RG-8 sized coax. I tried one. Pulled on the
connector after soldering it together and it had zero strain-relief
for the cable being pulled on, and it ripped apart. (Well, the center
conductor held on as long as it could). I wouldn't use those for
anything.
There's three sitting here in the connector box, and I wouldn't wish
them on my worst enemy. (In fact I should throw them out but I can't
-- I'm a packrat and they'll stay there for "emergencies" that will
never happen, because I have a small supply of ... see below...) They
were supposed to "screw on" to the jacket of the cable for strain
relief, and they frankly -- didn't. The cable I was using had a
pretty stiff outer jacket -- perhaps some "softer" RG-8 sized cable
would have worked better, but the "soft" stuff I have (some no-name
RG-213) was not high enough quality that I wanted to use it for an
outdoor run.
I have switched to LMR-400 and crimp N connectors put together with a
good quality crimp tool for the VHF/UHF rover station in the Jeep, and
haven't had a lick of trouble from any of those cables or connectors
at all, in pretty harsh vibration and movement conditions. (The
cables and things aren't fully "tied down" and things move in the
shelf while I'm driving... not a lot, but the cables get flexed and
moved and nothing has come apart yet. A Jeep on a dirt back road is
pretty bumpy too... everything gets a good "shakedown" cruise, so to
speak.
I think the investment in a good quality RF connector crimp tool, the
use of Amphenol or other best-quality connectors (even when they're
more expensive), and the good quality cable in the LMR-400 really
helps make getting the rover ready to go or make changes a snap. For
a more permanent installation, the connector would just need to be
weatherproofed as needed.
We've been using crimped N connectors on repeater equipment using
LMR400 for jumpers (not for the run up the tower, and LMR400 has been
known to cause noise in duplexed transmit and receive repeater
service, so we're limiting its use to short connections indoors) with
modern crimp connectors when done right with proper cable stripping
tools, crimp tools, and care of workmanship, work VERY well and
exhibit some better qualities to me these days over the solder-on
connectors.
--
Nate Duehr, WY0X
nate@natetech.com
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